Multiple patient breast scanning on a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging systems typically have a single patient handling system which allows the sequential scanning of individual patients. Such apparatus limit patient throughput and consequently the utility of magnetic resonance imaging systems. The present invention includes apparatus and methods to enhance patient throughput of a magnetic resonance imaging system, particularly as related to imaging the breast region of patients. Two distinct components of a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are defined: the patient handling time and the scan protocol time, and these time components are multiplexed to enhance patient throughput. This is achieved by addition of patient handling systems at additional apertures as exist on the primary field magnet and which provide access to the imaging volume. It is thus possible, for example, to have the patient handling time component of one patient overlap with the scan protocol time component of a second patient. Additionally, the present invention includes radio frequency antennas and positioning devices designed for use in scanning the breast region of patients.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the breast region of successive patients using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with at least two apertures providing access to an imaging volume and with at least two patient handling systems, comprising: (a) loading a first patient onto a breast positioning device located on a movable bed structure of one of said patient handling systems;   (b) moving said first patient into one of said apertures;   (c) positioning the breast region of said first patient in said imaging volume such that radio frequency antennas are properly positioned relative to the breast region of said first patient;   (d) performing a magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast region of said first patient;   (e) loading a second patient onto a breast positioning device placed on a movable bed structure of a second of said patient handling systems while conducting said magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast region of said first patient;   (f) removing said first patient from said imaging volume through said aperture following completion of said magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast region of said first patient;   (g) moving said second patient into a second of said apertures;   (h) positioning said second patient in said imaging volume such that the radio frequency antennas are properly positioned relative to the breast region of said second patient;   (i) performing a magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast region of aid second patient;   (j) removing said second patient from said imaging volume following completion of a magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast region of said second patient.   
     
     
       2. A method as described in claim 1, which includes unloading said first patient from said breast positioning device placed on said movable bed structure on said patient handling system and loading a third patient onto said breast positioning device located on the movable bed structure of the same patient handling system, during the scan protocol portion of the magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the breast region of said second patient. 
     
     
       3. A method as described in claim 1, which includes loading additional patients individually onto respective breast positioning devices located on the movable bed structures of said patient handling systems which are not occupied, during the scan protocol portion of a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the breast region of another patient. 
     
     
       4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the breast region of each said patient is performed such that said radio frequency receiver antennas are proximate the breast region of each said patient, prior to placement of each said patient into said imaging volume. 
     
     
       5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the steps of removing said first patient from said imaging volume, and positioning said second patient into said imaging volume is sequenced automatically under control of automatic patient transfer control means. 
     
     
       6. A method as described in claim 5, which further includes as part of the automatic sequence the step of commencing said scan protocol on said second patient. 
     
     
       7. A method of conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the breast regions of patients using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with at least two apertures providing access to an imaging volume and with at least two patient handling systems, comprising: (a) loading a first patient onto a breast cushion positioning device located on the movable bed structure of one of said patient handling systems and loading a second patient onto a breast positioning device located on the movable bed structure of a second of said patient handling systems;   (b) moving said first patient and second patient into a first and a second of said apertures, respectively;   (c) positioning simultaneously said first patient and said second patient in said imaging volume such that radio frequency antennas are properly positioned relative to respective breast regions of said first patient and said second patient;   (d) performing a magnetic resonance scan protocol on the breast regions of said first patient and said second patient simultaneously.   
     
     
       8. A method as described in claim 7, wherein said radio frequency receiver antennas are positioned relative to the breast region of said first patient and said second patient prior to placement of said first patient and said second patient into said imaging volume. 
     
     
       9. A method of conducting magnetic resonance imaging procedure on the breast regions of patients using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with at least two apertures providing access to an imaging volume and with at least two patient handling systems, comprising: (a) loading a first patient onto a breast positioning device located on a movable bed structure of one of said patient handling systems, and a second patient onto a breast positioning device located on a movable bed structure of a second of said patient handling systems;   (b) moving said first patient and said second patient into a first and a second of said apertures, respectively;   (c) positioning simultaneously said first patient and said second patient in said imaging volume such that radio frequency antennas are properly positioned relative to respective breast regions of said first patient and said second patient;   (d) performing a magnetic resonance scan protocol on said first patient and said second patient simultaneously;   (e) demarcating and separating data obtained during said magnetic resonance scan protocol into separate images corresponding to the respective breast regions of said first patient and said second patient.   
     
     
       10. A method as described in claim 9, wherein said radio frequency antennas are positioned relative to the breast region of said first patient and said second patient prior to placement of said first patient and said second patient into said imaging volume. 
     
     
       11. A medical magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: (a) a magnet having an imaging volume and at least two apertures thereto, each of said apertures providing patient access to said imaging volume;   (b) at least two patient handling systems, each of said patient handling systems comprising a motorized and remotely-controlled bed structure which accesses a respective one of said apertures of said magnet, each of said bed structures having means for positioning the breast region of a respective patient for a magnetic resonance imaging procedure in said imaging volume of said magnet;   (c) a radio frequency antenna system for transmitting radio frequency energy into each of said respective patients when in said imaging volume, and detecting magnetic resonance imaging data from said breast region of each said patient; and   (d) automatic patient sequence control means for automatically sequencing the transfer of said respective patients into and out of said imaging volume.   
     
     
       12. A medical magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: (a) a magnet having an imaging volume and at least two apertures thereto, each of said apertures providing patient access to said imaging volume;   (b) at least two patient handling systems, each of said patient handling systems comprising a motorized and remotely-controlled bed structure which accesses a respective one of said apertures of said magnet, selected ones of said bed structures each having means for simultaneously positioning the breast region of a respective patient for a magnetic resonance imaging procedure in said imaging volume of said magnet;   (c) a radio frequency antenna system for transmitting radio frequency energy into each of said respective patients when in said imaging volume, and detecting magnetic resonance imaging data from said breast region of each said patient; and   (d) automatic patient sequence control means for automatically sequencing the transfer of said respective patients into and out of said imaging volume.